Here’s a list of the hardware that I use in my daily life to make my site and blog. If you would like to see what software I use and recommend, please check out my Resources page.
Main Computer – HP Envy Sleekbook
The HP Envy Sleekbook is the computer that I use the most. I bought it from Aarons in 2013. I call it “Envy”—partly because that’s the name HP gave it and partly because I like to think that its premium appearance inspires envy in everyone who sees it. Just kidding!
Envy has been through a lot over the last couple of years. I fixed its overheating problem a few years ago, during which its chronic bezel/hinge problem further worsened. Most recently, I had to swap its ailing hard drive with one from an older laptop. Despite everything, Envy is still in fairly good shape.
Envy’s specs:
- Windows 10 Pro (originally Windows 7 Home, formerly Win 8.1 Pro and Ubuntu)
- 2.10 GHz AMD A6-4455M processor
- 15.6″ screen (1366 x 768 resolution)
- 80 GB hard drive
- 4 GB of memory (with 16-GB capacity)
Secondary Computer – Samsung Go
“Bluebell,” a Samsung Go netbook, is my backup computer. I ordered it from Amazon in 2009. Before Envy came along, it was my go-to portable computer. Nowadays, Bluebell’s sole function is to store and manage my iTunes music library due to its lack of power and nonfunctional battery.
People often laughed at Bluebell for its rubbery turquoise shell, but that was the main thing I loved about it. I borrowed its name from Illium, my favorite angel character in Nalini Singh’s Archangel series. Although my netbook is a different shade than Illium’s famous blue wings, his nickname felt like a perfect fit for the device.
Bluebell’s specs:
- Windows 7 Home (originally Windows XP, formerly Lubuntu)
- Intel Atom processor
- 10.1″ screen (1024 x 600)
- 160 GB hard drive
- 2 GB of RAM
Mouse – Dynex Wireless Laptop Mouse
I picked up the Dynex Wireless Laptop Mouse from Best Buy around the same time that I got Bluebell. I believe it cost $7. Its purple-and-black exterior doesn’t match any of my computers, but it’s still a lovely color.
It’s a very simple mouse. It takes two AA batteries, which last a month or so if I don’t forget to turn the mouse off at night. It doesn’t have any special buttons for gaming or web browsing. It’s wireless via a USB dongle, not Bluetooth. Nevertheless, it’s incredibly durable. I’ve dropped it more times than I can count with no real side effects.
Phone – moto g pure
Since we gave up our cable bundle years ago, we’ve used different Android phones to fill in the blanks. The Celero 5G belongs to my dad, the BLU View 2 belongs to my mom, and the moto g pure is the “house” phone/landline replacement. Since I don’t currently own a phone of my own, the moto g pure is mine by default and the one that I use daily.
Tablet – iPad mini 2
“Sleepless Beauty” is my iPad mini 2. I got it in 2015 from Best Buy. It’s my only Apple device these days and my favorite overall gadget. I use it to read eBooks, play games, and listen to music and podcasts. It has a black front and back, with 16 GB of storage. Sadly, I dropped it the other day and cracked the top left corner of the screen. The crack doesn’t affect anything, though.
“Sleepless Beauty” comes from the song of the same name from the Gravitation anime soundtrack. I thought it was an appropriate name since I’m constantly using the device (it never sleeps) and the iPad is a gorgeous tablet (a beauty).
Camera – Kodak EasyShare
For a camera, I use the Kodak EasyShare. It’s is a straightforward 14-MP point-and-shoot affair that I bought from Amazon in 2009. I added an SD card (4 GB) to it as well.
It’s called the EasyShare because it once had features that supposedly made it easier to post your pictures and videos to social networks. An update right out of the box removed that functionality before I ever got to try it.
Headphones – Beats Solo HD
My main headphones are a pair of wired, over-the-head Beats Solo HD. No matter what people say, Beats are awesome. I love the bass and the colors. In fact, one of the reasons I bought Envy was because it included these matching headphones in the box. They haven’t held up well physically—the original cords have frayed, the faux leather on the ear cups is flaking off, and the rubber part that fits on top of my head frequently comes unglued—but the sound is still on point.
I have several backup pairs of headphones too. The e-Circuit Earphones come in handy when I can’t/don’t want to wear the Beats for whatever reason, like when I want to listen to music while lying down. When I need to be wireless, I turn to my Airbuds Air5 True Wireless Earbuds.